Taxi Driver Online

SIX NEW DISABLED TAXIS FOR THE TOWN
SIX NEW disabled-friendly taxis will be hitting the streets within the next year after councillors agreed to unfreeze the release of new licences.
Members of the borough council's licensing committee spent three hours deliberating over the proposal to allow the new hackney carriages.
This is the first time since 1976 that hackney carriage licences have been made available.
A report put before councillors said that demand on disabled taxis meant that many wheelchair users were stuck at home early in the morning and during the afternoon.
The releasing of the new licences should relieve the pressure, it said.
Councillor Ann Murray, chairman of the licensing committee, said, ''It is brilliant news for the people of the town.
''Many disabled people have had problems accessing suitable vehicles, so it is excellent that they will be able to access decent transport.
''The town is growing and there have not been any new licences in years.
''I know some of the hackney drivers were against our move but they realise it is better for the town to increase the number of accessible vehicles for disabled users.''
There are just 84 hackney carriage plates working in the borough and approximately 260 private hire vehicles.
The current quota shows that there is one hackney carriage for every 1,088 residents and a 'taxi' for every 268 residents in Eastbourne.
Many wheelchair-accessible vehicles are committed to contract work as opposed to relying on ad hoc hiring and or rank work during current high demand periods.
There is also an imbalance as less than 10 per cent of current hackney carriages are wheelchair accessible.
Cllr Sandie Howlett, Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet spokesperson for housing, health and community services, said, ''The report findings indicated that there was significant unmet demand for hackney carriages in the area and recommended that a minimum of six new hackney carriage licences be released immediately.
''Despite some opposition from members of the taxi trade, the committee agreed with this and determined to release six new licences over the next six months subject to a number of criteria being met, including release to vehicles which are wheelchair accessible only.
''A committee will be convened to determine the manner in which licences can be released.''

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

An extra 6 plates in Eastbourne ....................... for WAV's .................. could this mean that Sussex could ....................... actually get a free plate.

Pity he would have to buy a £30K+ cab to get it.

here's hoping.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

What ever happened to equal opportunities, they get 6 so should the PH

If it's such a good idea, then why don't they issue 100s and make it a great idea.

Still when you have brain dead councillors, a few of them directors of the bus company, common sense is never an option. So I will not be offered nor would I take one of their plates.

But I've got a good feeling in my waters about my situation, and you just never know what might happen in a few weeks/months time.

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IDFIMH

Cos they tried it here "free Hackney plate to anyone putting on a new WAV" and low and behold E7's started appearing out of the woodwork! Now the ranks are full of driver with £1000 a month finance repayments and very little work - and they all sold their original plates and cars and holidayed on the profits! The original intention was to encourage PH drivers to purchase new vehicles but some people saw a quick profit and got greedy forcing down the price of Hackney plates.

If you think that it will be worth driving a HC if they issued 100's of new plates then you are living in cloud cucoo land. Particularly if they insist on WAV's.


Why will you not be offered the chance of one ................. and why after your years of demanding one would you not take it.



Is that the same feeling you've had in your waters before Sussex ............. following the OFT report for example.

Sorry

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

They cant limit PH can they? So PH can have as many WAV's as they want.

Depends on where you live and work! You can't run a WAV as a PH here - its not politically correct and therefore not allowed! Aparently you have to be Hackney to carry a wheel chair - oh please someone tell me where our council falls down on the Disability Act I really would like another day in Court with the Borough Solicitor just to see what he comes up witht his time!